When Emily said to call it that Steve seem surprised, Emily figured that Steve assumed that she would take control of this fight with the avengers. True, she could but she was more of the second in command while Tony was the backer of the group and Steve was the leader of the group. Emily knows that though the last few days that Steve have a lot of first, as well as most of this seems really new to him as this battle was very different from World War II. Even though World War II was started by a demigod, that there was still mortals fighting unlike with the battles they have in the last few days. Besides Emily's main job in World War II, besides being second in command of the howling commandos, was to make sure the monsters didn't kill the howling commandos. But there was a few times of where the howling commandos fought with a monster before. But those were a few rare times though. Steve looked over at Lauren and Thor before he gave any orders.
"Thor and Lauren, I need you two to make as big of a storm that you can make." Dark clouds started to form and lighting light up across the sky and Steve looked over at Tony, Clint and Natasha. "Tony, I want you to do the same thing as in the last battle we had when the avengers were formed. Barton, Natasha, keep the monsters away from this area and the mortals." All three of them went to what they are suppose to be doing. Steve looked over at the Hulk. "Hulk." The hulk turned to look at Steve. "Smash." The hulk jumped away before he started smashing the monsters that were left in the area, than Steve looked over at Emily and Arabella. "Emily, I need you to use the ability over the season to help Thor and Lauren with the storm, do whatever you can with it. Arabella use the shadows." Steve than looked at Bucky. "Bucky, we will stay here and help back the monsters away from the building."
Bucky didn't seem to happy that he wasn't going to be with Emily but he wasn't going to say no. For she knows at Bucky didn't want to leave Steve's side either. During the fighting that there was darkness that would choke the monsters or even the shadows. There was lightning that hit the monsters or big hail stones as well as snowballs and huge rain drops. As Emily fought that she used her sword and shield, as well as her powers over the plants. Most of the time Mrs. O'Leary was bounded after Emily, helping Emily to fight the monsters. Just as Emily cut off the head of a monster that she saw Typhon starting to cross the river, when he reached the middle of the river that the water rose up around him. The water started to chain him up, Poseidon came up with the cyclops and a hole was made, Typhon entered the hole. As soon as that happen that Emily heard a scream from above her, Emily looked up as the balls stopped hitting Olympus. It sounded like a male that screamed out in pain, but Emily wasn't sure on that though, she just knew it came from Olympus. The monsters, or what was left of them, backed up and ran, the demigods and the avengers managed to finish off most of the remaining or running monsters. As a result that the war ended with he screaming of someone form Olympus.
The next few hours went by quickly for Emily, she went around Olympus as well as the avenger tower to help with the wounded. She managed to go to Central Park and helped restore the plants in the park as well as grow a few new plants as well. Emily also did that with other parks as well that were in Manhattan, the stones that were in the road were taken off the roads to allow the cars to move more freely. Thron even managed to get Chiron out of the rubble, Emily was glad to know that he wasn't died but he was taken back to camp due to his injuries. The best part for Emily was when Nico and Arabella entered Olympus, they got a hero's welcome with their father right behind them. It seems that no one cares that Hades wasn't suppose to be on Olympus since he was only allowed to come at the Winter Solstice. Her adopted father seem stunned when his relatives clapped him on his back, Emily knows he never got such an enthusiastic welcome before from his family. Emily noticed that Arabella seem stunned and surprised by the greeting she was getting from everyone, just like Nico. Clarisse was still shivering from her time in the ice block when she got to Olympus, her father bellowed when he saw her.
"There's my girl!" Ares ruffled her hair before he pounded her on the back calling her the best warrior he ever seen. "That drakon-slaying? THAT'S what I'm talking about!" Emily was already in the throne room when Thor, Steve, Bucky and Lauren managed to get away from the crowds and walked over to where Emily was sitting. Of which was besides Hestia in front of the Hearth. Lauren looked at Hestia before she knelt. That seem to surprise Thor, Steve and Bucky when Lauren knelt in front of Hestia as oppose to Emily of who was sitting next to her.
"Lady Hestia."
"Greetings, Lauren. The last time I saw you and spoke with you was just before that attack on the last hydra base. When you and Emily had come to my hearth at camp. It's nice to see you back at the hearth." Emily remembers that day all to well, for Hestia told her things that she never forget and never will. For Hestia told her that she was a protector of family, home, Hearth and most important of all, hope. At the time, Emily didn't understood till she became Hestia's champion and started to learn of how to handle her new powers. When Emily helped the demigods and protect them from the dangers till camp that she understood of what Hestia means by what she said that day. There other things as well, if she hadn't accepted Hades's offer that the howling commandos wouldn't be helping and protecting demigods and mortals from every possible threat or most of them at any rate. As well as dealing with HYDRA since she learned that they were not dead. Than Hestia looked at Bucky, Thor, and Steve before Hestia spoke once more. "Welcome to our hearth. It is nice you three found your to our hearth." Steve, Bucky, and Thor looked at each other before they looked back at Hestia. Emily was sure that they were slightly confused since Hestia was in her eight year old form at the moment. It was Thor that spoke.
"You are one of the gods?"
"I am indeed, Thor Odinson." Lauren since moved from where she was kneeling, she was sitting next to Emily. Emily and Lauren looked away from Thor and the other two so that they would see the smiles that crept into their faces. For it was just too funny to see that look of shock and surprise on Thor's face.
"How do you know my name?"
"I am the goddess of home, hearth and family. One of my duties is to look after families as a result I know who they are as the grew older. However you are one of the few exceptions since you were not raised here, but after your banishment that I had since kept an eye you even when you were not here." Thor looked over at Emily when Emily managed to look back at Steve, Bucky and Thor.
"Are you related to her?"
"Yes, she is my aunt and my patron goddess." Thor raised an eyebrow when Emily said that.
"Do you know about my life besides I already told you?"
"No." Thor kept his one eyebrow raised when Emily said that. "I am not a goddess, just immortal. However I could see what your life was like if I wanted to but I can't do it like Hestia can. I have to either touch your forehead to look though your memories or give you hope in order to do that. I am not going to go though your memories, as for giving you hope, you don't need me to do that unless if it seems like you are failing too much or weaken too much or losing hope. Sure you were getting weaker in the battle in the last few days, that was only because of the amount of fighting you were doing was different from any fight you had before. However you not as weaken as the demigods by the battle, nor were losing hope or failing and there was a lot of demigods out there that were started to lose hope, getting weaker and failing. Other than helping the storm and making the plants grew around the enemy that I was also using hope on all those demigods. As for touching your forehead you are a little too tall for me to reach up here." When Emily said that Steve spoke up.
"It sounds like you were over using your powers again." Emily looked over at Steve.
"I was, but I had more time to get a much better control over them. Though I had a good control over them in the war. I grow a lot over the years with using my powers so I don't pass out as much as I did the one time back in the war. But I am just surprised I didn't pass out during that final battle or after considering what I was doing." Steve nodded when Emily said that, Bucky was about ready to say something when Hera had spoke.
"I suppose I won't destroy you and that little girl now." Emily looked over at Hera when she said that, Emily noticed Hera was looking at Percy and Annabeth, Hera sniffed in disdain.
"Annabeth saved Olympus, She convinced Luke to stop Kronos." It was than that Thor, Steve and Bucky sat down by the hearth right next to Emily and Lauren.
"Hmm." Emily looked over at Dionysus, she was trying not laugh since his head was wrapped in a bandage, he was looking at Percy before he spoke.
"Well, Percy Jackson. I see Pollux made it through, so I suppose you aren't completely inept. It's all thanks to my training, I suppose."
"Urn, yes, sir."
"As thanks for my bravery, Zeus has cut my probation at that miserable camp in half. I now have only fifty years left instead of one hundred."
"Fifty years, huh?"
"Don't get so excited, Jackson! I still plan on making your life miserable."
"Naturally." Steve, Thor and Bucky looked over at Emily and Lauren when Dionysus said that. It looked like one of them was going to say something but Emily mouthed to them, don't worry about it.
"Just so we understand each other." Dionysus turned back to his grapevine throne before he began to repair his grapevine throne, which was singed by fire.
"Is he always like that?" Emily looked over at Thor when he said that.
"He is just grouchy because he has to stay at camp for fifty years now apparently. He doesn't like heroes very much."
"I don't like him too much either just from that reaction." Emily smiled slightly when Bucky said that, this she looked over at him before she spoke.
"The feeling is mutual." Bucky looked over at her when she said that and smiled, before they could say anything else that conch horns blew. The army of Poseidon, of which were mostly Cyclops, marched into the throne room.
"Percy!" Emily recognized the Cyclopes from last year during the battle of the labyrinth, it was Percy's half brother. He charged at Percy with his arms wife open before giving Percy a hug that be as bone cracking as one from Thor would be, maybe even more. "You are not dead!"
"Yeah! Amazing, huh?"
"I am not dead either. Yay! We chained Typhon. It was fun!" There was fifty armored cyclops behind Tyson, they spoke up.
"Tyson led us. He is brave!"
"Bravest of the Cyclopes!"
"Was nothing."
"I saw you! You were incredible!"
"Yes. Um . . . three cheers for Tyson!"
"YAAARRRRR!" The Cyclopes roared.
"Please don't eat me." Emily couldn't help but feel sorry for Grover, but she wasn't sure if anyone else heard Grover other than Percy and herself. Than the conch horns blasted again and Poseidon entered the throne room.
"Tyson! Well done, my son. And Percy - I even forgive you for sitting on my throne. You have saved Olympus!" Poseidon held his hand out before he hugged Percy's than Poseidon pulled away from the hug.
"Dad - "
"Shhh. No hero is above fear, Percy. And you have risen above every hero. Not even Hercules - "
"POSEIDON!" Emily and Lauren jerked when Zeus roared, all the other gods, but Poseidon, were in their seats, even her adopted father was present and was sitting in a simple chair. The guest chair was at the foot of the hearth, Nico and Arabella were sitting cross legged on the ground at their father's feet. "Well, Poseidon? Are you too proud to join us in council, my brother?" Emily smiled when Poseidon looked at Percy before he winked.
"I would be honored, Lord Zeus." Zeus started talking a out the bravery of the gods, as Zeus spoke that Emily, Bucky, Steve, Lauren and Thor were keeping each other entertained. They were making mostly gestures and making fun of Zeus. It was like Arabella's first winter solstice, for a few times they allowed Hermes or Apollo to see what they were doing. Emily was sure a couple of times that Apollo and Hermes were in danger of laughing their heads off. She was sure that they would have if it wasn't for the recent battle as well as interpreting Zeus. As Zeus spoke that Emily noticed that Annabeth came in and sat down next to Percy and Grover. Than Zeus started talking about his brothers.
"As for my brothers, we are thankful. erm, thankful for the aid of Hades." Hades merely nodded but he has a smug look on his face. He patted both Nico and Arabella on their shoulders.
"And, of course, we must . . . um . . . thank Poseidon."
"I'm sorry, brother. What was that?" Emily and Lauren were smiling when Poseidon said that, they were trying not to laugh for they knew what their uncle was doing to Lauren's father.
"We must thank Poseidon. Without whom . . . it would've been difficult - "
"Difficult?"
"Impossible. Impossible to defeat Typhon." The gods murmured in agreement before they pounded their weapons.
"Which leaves us, only the matter of thanking our young demigod heroes, who defended Olympus so well - even if there are a few dents in my throne." Zeus called Thalia first when she stood in front of him that he spoke. "Thalia, my daughter, you have prove yourself as my daughter and a loyal hunter. I promise to help you with filling the ranks of the hunters." Thalia nodded when Zeus said that.
"You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure." The last part she glared pointedly at Hades.
He shrugged. "Probably." Emily thought if saying something but decided against it though. Artemis was still glaring at him.
"Okay, I'll streamline their application process." Thalia was beaming with pride.
"Thank you, my lady." She bowed to the god, even Hades, before she limped over to stand by Artemis's side.
"Tyson, son of Poseidon!" Tyson looked nervous but he went to stand in the middle of the council.
"Doesn't miss many meals, does he? Tyson, for your bravery in the war, and for leading the Cyclopes, you are appointed a general in the armies of Olympus. You shall henceforth lead your brethren into war whenever required by the gods. And you shall have a new . . . um . . . what kind of weapon would you like? A sword? An axe?"
"Stick!" Emily did her best not to laugh when Tyson called his club a sick and held his club for Zeus to see.
"Very well, We will grant you a new, er, stick. The best stick that may be found."
"Hooray!" All of the Cyclopes cheered before pounded Tyson on his back as he rejoined them.
"Grover Underwood of the satyrs!" Grover went forward when Dionysus called him forward. "Oh, stop chewing your shirt. Honestly, I'm not going to blast you. For your bravery and sacrifice, blah, blah, blah, and since we have an unfortunate vacancy, the gods have seen fit to name you a member of the Council of Cloven Elders." Grover collapsed on the spot when Dionysus said that, however it was Thor's look that made her close of laughing and he whispered.
"Why did he faint?"
"I think he had too much shock already and that was the final straw." Thor seemed fine with that answer. Several naiads went forward to help Grover.
"Oh, wonderful. Well, when he wakes up, someone tell him that he will no longer be an outcast, and that all satyrs, naiads, and other spirits of nature will henceforth treat him as a lord of the Wild, with all rights, privileges, and honors, blah, blah, blah. Now please, drag him off before he wakes up and starts groveling."
"FOOOOOD." The naiads took Grover away as he said that.
"Annabeth Chase, my own daughter." Annabeth walked forward and knelt at her mother's feet.
"You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations. You have used your wits, your strength, and your courage to defend this city, and our seat of power. It has come to our attention that Olympus is . . . well, trashed. The Titan lord did much damage that will have to be repaired. We could rebuild it by magic, of course, and make it just as it was. But the gods feel that the city could be improved. We will take this as an opportunity. And you, my daughter, will design these improvements." Annabeth looked surprised, Emily expected that Athena would have her daughter do something like that.
"My . . . my lady?"
"You are an architect, are you not? You have studied the techniques of Daedalus himself. Who better to redesign Olympus and make it a monument that will last for another eon?"
"You mean . . . I can design whatever I want?"
"As your heart desires. Make us a city for the ages."
"As long as you have plenty of statues of me."
"And me."
"Hey, and me! Big statues with huge wicked swords and - "
"All right! She gets the point. Rise, my daughter, official architect of Olympus." Annabeth rose in a trance before she walked back to Percy.
"Way to go."
"I'll . . . I'll have to start planning . . . Drafting paper, and, um, pencils - " Emily expected that Percy was going to be called next but that didn't happen.
"Emily Barnes and Lauren Rogers." It was her mother that spoke, Emily looked at Lauren, Lauren was just as surprised to be called on. Emily was surprised that they didn't ask the other three to join them when they were called. Emily and Lauren got up from where they were before they went to the middle of the room but didn't bow. All the gods were staring at them, it was weird to see the gods looking down at her. Her mother went on. "We would ask the others to come forward but we decided to let only you two come forward for this. Four of the avengers are mortals and can't come up here. But we all agreed on two things, that officially from this day that the avengers, as well as the howling commandos, will be the protecters of the demigods and mortals. For as long as they live on, even if the original team is gone." Than Zeus spoke up.
"We ask that Thor Odinson comes and join them." Emily and Lauren watched as Thor got up and walked over to them before standing next to them. Than Zeus went on. "Up until today, we were unaware about the Norse gods were still around. I think it would be only fair if one of the avengers be an ambassador of Asgard so that we could help make an alliance between our two worlds." Thor looked at Emily mad Lauren, they both nodded, than he looked at Zeus before he spoke.
"I will at least talk to my father about the possibility of it. It may take some time to do though." Zeus merely nodded when Thor said that .
"Very well, when you manage to convince your father of making this alliance that if it is all right with you and your father that I make Emily the ambassador of Asgard." Emily was stunned, not that she didn't know to be an ambassador but she expected Zeus would pick Lauren to be the ambassador. She might not an avenger but she was married to one.
"Uncle, why me?" Emily gestured to Lauren. "Why not Lauren? The avengers still consider her as part of the group since she is married to my brother."
"True of what you say, but honestly, out of all of the avengers that you would be the best one fit for it." Emily nodded before the three of them went back by the hearth. Emily sat down next to Bucky and put her head on his shoulder.
"PERCY JACKSON!" All the talking died down, the room was silent expect for the crackling of the hearth or the mooing coming form the sphere in the throne room. Everyone was looking at Percy, he got up before walking into the middle of the throne room. Than he looked at Hestia, she smiled reassuringly at Percy before he turned back to the other gods. Emily was glad to see Hestia was back to normal, for she was happy and content that the fire was back now. Percy bowed to Zeus before he knelt down at his father's throne. "Rise, my son." Percy stood up.
"A great hero must be rewarded. Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?" Emily expected one of the gods to disagree but none of the gods argued or said anything.
"The Council agrees. Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."
"Any gift?"
"I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson - if you wish it - you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time." Emily took a sharp intake of breath, yes she was offered immortal like Percy but hers was more like the hunter's immortality. She was not really a goddess, the last time that gift was given was before she was born.
"Um . . . a god?"
"A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever."
"Hmm. That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea."
"I approve as well." Emily noticed that Athena was looking Annabeth, so Emily looked over at Annabeth. Annabeth was trying not meet Percy's eyes when he looked at her, her face was pale and she looked like she was ready to cry. Emily looked between the tow of them, wondering what Percy would do and what he would decided. Emily thought of when she took the offer from Hades and why she accepted it, she also thought if she was in Percy's position and if it was Bucky that was in Annabeth's position. She knew she wouldn't accept the offer for she didn't was to live on while Bucky died, provided that he didn't have Apollo's blessing. Than Percy looked at Zeus before he gave his answer, pretty much everyone was shocked at his answer expect for Emily.
"No." The council was silent, Emily understood the reasoning of why Percy rejected the offer, it was an tempting offer to refuse. When Emily accepted Hades's offer that she felt like she lost everything but she gained it back because of the offer. As well as waited for seventy years for it to come back.
"No? You are . . . turning down our generous gift?"
"I'm honored and everything. Don't get me wrong. It's just . . . I've got a lot of life left to live. I'd hate to peak in my sophomore year. I do want a gift, though. Do you promise to grant my wish?"
"If it is within our power."
"It is. And it's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."
"What? You don't trust us?"
"Someone once told me, you should always get a solemn oath." As Percy said that, that he looked over at Hades.
"Guilty."
"Very well! In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power." All the gods agreed than thunder boom shaking the throne room, the deal was made.
"From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the gods. All the children . . . of all the gods." Emily smiled when Percy said that for she knows where he was going with this, the Olympians shifted uncomfortably.
"Percy, what exactly do you mean?"
"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents. They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason."
"You dare accuse - "
"No more undetermined children. I want you to promise to claim your children - all your demigod children - by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."
"Now, wait just a moment." But Percy didn't stop there though.
"And the minor gods, Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe- - they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades - "
"Are you calling me a minor god?"
"No, my lord. But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico and Arabella have proven that. Hestia and Hades should also have thrones, they had prove themselves Olympians. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the gods. And no more pact of the Big Three. That didn't work anyway. You've got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. We're going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is my wish."
"Is that all?"
"Percy, you ask much. You presume much."
"I hold you to your oath. All of you." Percy was getting a lot of steely looks but it was Athena who spoke up first.
"The boy is correct. We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Percy Jackson, I have had my doubts about you, but perhaps - perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the boy's plan."
"Humph. Being told what to do by a mere child. But I suppose . . ."
"All in favor." All the gods raised their hands, Zeus zapped the floor, two thrones appeared at both ends. One was made out of bones, the other was made out of flames, Hades and Hestia got up before going over to their new thrones. Because of that, that Nico and Arabella went over to where Emily and sat down next to her.
"Um, thanks." Percy turned around, before he could do much all that Poseidon spoke up.
"Honor guard!" At once, the Cyclopes went forward before they made two lines from the thrones to the door, an aisle for Percy to walk through. Than the Cyclopes went to attention.
"All hail, Perseus Jackson. Hero of Olympus . . . and my big brother!"
When Emily got to the lobby with Thor, Steve, Bucky and Lauren that Percy was talking to his mother and stepfather. Just as Emily and the others got off the elevator that Nico and Arabella came running in from the street, from their faces that it was clear that something was wrong, terribly wrong.
"It's Rachel, Arabella and I just ran into her down on 32nd Street."
"What's she done this time?"
"It's where she's gone, I told her she would die if she tried, but she insisted. She just took Blackjack and - "
"She took my pegasus?" Than Nico said the words that Emily didn't want to hear.
"She's heading to Half-Blood Hill. She said she had to get to camp." It was clear that Percy knew what Rachel was going to do as well, only a couple of others knew what Rachel was going to do. So they quickly left the building to get to Camp Halfblood to stop Rachel. When they reached the shore of Camp Halfblood, with the help of sea creatures, that Argus was waiting for them.
"Is she here?" Argus nodded when Percy ask him that question.
"Is everything okay?" Argus shook his head before leading them up the trail, Emily looked at the big house before she looked at Lauren of who looked worried. Emily looked back as green light was shooting out of the windows, as they got close to the big house that she saw mist, the same mist that veils the demigod world, was swirling around in front of the house. Chiron was laying on a horse size stretcher by the volleyball pit, a bunch of Satyrs were standing around him. Rachel was standing at the bottom of the porch steps, her arms were raised like she was waiting for someone inside the house to throw her a ball.
"What's she doing? How did she get past the barriers?"
"She flew. Right past the dragon, right through the magic boundaries."
"Rachel!" Percy tried to go forward but the satyrs stopped him.
"Percy, don't, you can't interrupt."
"I thought you explained things to her!"
"I did. And I invited her here."
"You said you'd never let anyone try again! You said - "
"I know what I said, Percy. But I was wrong. Rachel had a vision about the curse of Hades. She believes it may be lifted now. She convinced me she deserves a chance."
"And if the curse isn't lifted? If Hades hasn't gotten to that yet, she'll go crazy!" Emily wasn't sure if the curse was lifted either, but she didn't like of what may happen. She remembered when that young girl took the spirit, the one that the curse was put upon. She remembered of what happened when she took the spirit. For a ten year old she was brave to take on the spirit so young. The mist swirled around Rachel, she shivered like she was going into shock, it was than that Thor spoke.
"What is happening?" Emily looked over at Thor, she opened her mouth but closed it again, she wasn't sure if she could say anything but Lauren spoke.
"She going to try to take the spirit of the oracle." Before Thor could say anything that Percy shouted.
"Hey! Stop!" Percy ran over to Rachel, paying no heed to the satyrs, when he got within ten feet that he an invisible wall. He bounced back before landed in the grass, Emily and Lauren ran to Percy before helping him up from the ground. As they helped Percy up that Rachel turned and opened her eyes, she looked like she was sleepwalking and when she spoke that her voice sounded far away.
"This is why I've come."
"You'll be destroyed!" Lauren and Emily kept heir hold Percy as he tried to move forward again.
"This is where I belong, Percy. I finally understand why." Percy seems that he wanted to try again, but Emily and Lauren kept their holds on his shoulder, he looked at them when he didn't move.
"Stop her."
"I want to, but it will do no good now. The process has already started, either the spirit takes, she will become like May Castellan, or she will die." It seems that Percy didn't want to that to happen, neither did Emily but what choice did they have. Than the house rumbled, the door to the big house flew open and green mist and light poured out from the house. Emily recognized the warm must smell of snakes, the mist curled into a hundred smoky serpents. The green misty snakes were slithering up the porch columns and were curling around the house, than the oracle appeared in the doorway of the house. Emily could hear Bucky, Steve, and Thor gasp when they saw the state of the oracle was in at the moment, it seems that the oracle was in worse shape than the last time she saw the oracle. The withered mummy shuffled forward in her rainbow dress, her hair was falling out in clumps, her leathery skin was cracking like seats of a worn out bus. Her glassy eyes were staring blankly into space, Emily was getting the feeling that the oracle was being drawn towards Rachel. Rachel didn't look scared at all, instead she held out her arms towards the mummy before she spoke.
"You've waited too long. But I'm here now." The sun blazed more brightly, a man appeared above the porch floating in the air. A blond guy in a white toga that was wearing sunglasses and a cocky smile.
"Apollo." Apollo winked at Percy but held his finger to his lips before looking back at Rachel and the oracle.
"Rachel Elizabeth Dare. You have the gift of prophecy. But it is also a curse. Are you sure you want this?"
"It's my destiny."
"Do you accept the risks?"
"I do."
"Then proceed." Rachel closed her eyes before she spoke.
"I accept this role. I pledge myself to Apollo, God of Oracles. I open my eyes to the future and embrace the past. I accept the spirit of Delphi, Voice of the Gods, Speaker of Riddles, Seer of Fate." As Rachel spoke that the mist thickened, a green column of smoke, like a huge python, uncoiled from the mummy's mouth. The python slithered down the stairs before it started to curl affectionately around Rachel's feet. Hope flared inside Emily as the python did that, if the curse wasn't lifted than the python would never leave the mummy. The oracle's mummy crumbled and fell away till the mummy was nothing but a pile of dust in an old tie dyed dress. The mist enveloped Rachel in a column, for a moment no one could see Rachel at all. When the smoke cleared that Rachel collapsed and was curled into the fetal postion. Emily could see the life aura was close of fading, Annabeth, Nico and Percy ran forward but Apollo spoke.
"Stop! This is the most delicate part."
"What's going on? What do you mean?" Apollo studied Rachel with concern.
"Either the spirit takes hold, or it doesn't."
"And if it doesn't?"
"Five syllables. That would be real bad." Percy ran forward despite Apollo's warning, the smell of attic was gone as well as the green mist. As the green mist went into the ground that Rachel's life aura was coming back, Emily ran forward before she knelt down next to Rachel. As Emily knelt down that Rachel opened her eyes, she was having difficulty focusing her eyes.
"Percy."
"Are you okay?" Rachel tried to sit up.
"Ow." Rachel pressed her hands to her temples.
"Rachel, your life aura almost faded completely. I could see you dying."
"He's right, Rachel, I was worried till I saw it come back."
"I'm all right. Please, help me up. The visions - they're a little disorienting." Emily and Percy helped Rachel to her feet.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Apollo drifted down from the porch.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the new Oracle of Delphi."
"You're kidding." Rachel managed a weak smile.
"It's a little surprising to me too, but this is my fate. I saw it when I was in New York. I know why I was born with true sight. I was meant to become the Oracle."
"You mean you can tell the future now?"
"Not all the time. But there are visions, images, words in my mind. When someone asks me a question, I . . . Oh no - "
"It's starting." Rachel doubled over like someone punched her in the stomach, than she stood up straight. Her eyes were glowing serpent green, when she spoke that her voice tripled like three Rachels were talking at once.
"Eight half-bloods shall answer the call.
To storm or fire, the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath.
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death."
When Rachel collapsed that Emily and Percy caught her before helping her to the porch, Emily expected that for she remembered the last two oracles did that as well. For ten years it was one oracle till another mortal came along saying she has the gift of Prophecy and the spirit went to her. It was that girl that was cursed by her adopted father, Emily looked at the pile of dust, she did felt sorry for that oracle and what happened to her. Emily stepped away from where Rachel was, when she did that she felt a pair of arms wrapped themselves from behind her.
"I'm all right." Rachel's eyes returned to what it was before.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"I believe, that we just heard the next Great Prophecy."
"What does it mean?"
"I don't even remember what I said."
"No. The spirit will only speak through you occasionally. The rest of the time, our Rachel will be much as she's always been. There's no point in grilling her, even if she has just issued the next big prediction for the future of the world."
"What? But - "
"Percy, I wouldn't worry too much. The last Great Prophecy about you took almost seventy years to complete. This one may not even happen in your lifetime."
"Maybe, but it didn't sound so good."
"No, It certainly didn't. She's going to make a wonderful Oracle!" As Percy and Rachel spoke to each other that Bucky spoke to her.
"How long was that oracle like that?"
"About as long as Steve was in ocean but just by a couple of years. She become like that in World War II and been that way ever since. I only saw that happen once more and that was when the last oracle had come forward to take the spirit." Before Bucky could say anything that Apollo spoke up.
"But right now you need sleep. Chiron, I don't think the attic is the proper place for our new Oracle, do you?"
"No, indeed. Rachel may use a guest room in the Big House for now, until we give the matter more thought."
"I'm thinking a cave in the hills. With torches and a big purple curtain over the entrance . . . really mysterious. But inside, a totally decked-out pad with a game room and one of those home theater systems." Chiron cleared his throat, "What?" Than Rachel kissed Percy on his cheek.
"Good-bye, Percy. And I don't have to see the future to tell you what to do now, do I?"
"No."
"Good." Rachel turned before followed Apollo into the big house. Everyone else, that was gathered around the big house went into camp to get ready for the rest of the day and the burials that they would have to do. Steve and Lauren came up besides Emily and Bucky. All of them were looking at the lake in camp Halfblood. Emily sighed, she knew that there was a chance that once this last great prophecy was fulfilled that there was going to be another great prophecy. As she leaned into Bucky that Steve spoke.
"What now?"
"Go back to the avenger tower of course."